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Configuring and Using Styles

Updated today

Styles allow you to customize how Claude communicates, helping you achieve more while working in a way that feels natural to you.

Using Preset Styles

Selecting a Style

  1. Click the "Search and tools" menu in the lower left corner of the chat interface.

  2. Select "Use style."

  3. Click one of the four available preset styles in the menu.

  4. Claude will adapt its responses according to your selected style.

Note: Switch between styles at any time during your conversation. Claude will use your current style selection for new messages, message edits, and retries.

Available preset styles include:

  • Normal: Default responses from Claude.

  • Concise: Shorter and more direct responses.

  • Formal: Clear and polished responses

  • Explanatory: Educational responses for learning new concepts.

Managing Preset Styles

You can customize which preset styles appear in your menu:

  1. From the "Use style" dropdown, click "Create & edit styles."

  2. Select the preset style you want to hide from the "Customize your styles" modal.

  3. Click "Options" in the top-right corner.

  4. Select "Hide preset style."

  5. To unhide preset styles, click “Reset preset styles” in the bottom right corner of the "Customize your styles" modal.

Note: While you can hide most preset styles, the Normal and Concise styles will always remain visible in your menu.

Creating Custom Styles

Method 1: Upload Writing Samples

  1. From the "Use style" dropdown, click "Create & edit styles."

  2. Click “Create custom style.”

  3. Select "Add Writing Example" to choose between uploading a file from your device, or pasting the text content directly

  4. Click "Create style"

  5. Claude will analyze your writing and generate a matching style

Your writing samples help Claude understand and match your preferred communication approach. You can upload documents in various formats including pdf, doc, and txt files.

Method 2: Describe Your Style

  1. From the "Use style" dropdown, click "Create & edit styles."

  2. Click “Create custom style" in the bottom left corner of the "Customize your styles" modal.

  3. Choose "Describe style instead."

  4. Select a starting point that best matches your goal.

    1. Claude will use the selected starting point to help create an effective style.

    2. Click on "Use custom instructions (advanced)" to provide your own specific style instructions that Claude will follow exactly.

  5. Click "Generate style."

Managing Your Custom Styles

  • From the "Use style" dropdown, click "Create & edit styles" to:

    • Reorder styles using the icon (:::) next to each style.

  • From the "Create & edit styles" modal, click into individual styles to:

    • Rename styles by clicking into the style name or options menu.

    • Preview how the style affects Claude's responses.

    • Delete styles you no longer need through the options menu.

    • Edit style instructions to fine-tune Claude's responses.

    • Editing styles can be done with Claude (“Edit Style”) or by clicking “Set Instructions Manually” in the options menu to edit the instructions directly.

Tips for Success

  • Be specific when describing your desired communication style.

  • Use the preview feature to ensure the style matches your expectations.

  • Switch between styles based on different conversation needs.

  • Consider your audience and purpose when selecting or creating styles.

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